Public Cash For Campaigning? Jeb Bush Just Says No

Florida Politics

July 18, 1993|By Peter Mitchell and Jon Van Gieson of The Sentinel Staff

Talk about tough choices: Imagine you're an ambitious Republican opposed to the public financing of elections. You hate the concept, just despise it. But then again . . .

Well, you're running for governor and you need money - wads of it. Certainly other candidates are accepting public money. Shouldn't you?

Jeb Bush says no.

Last week, as he weaved through an Orlando rally, George Bush's second-oldest son tossed aside the thought, ticking off a list of state needs - from school supplies to prison beds - then pausing in disgust.

''And we're going to give politicians money so they can bang each other around,'' he fumed. ''That's embarrassing.''

Easily said. But remember, Florida's new campaign finance law won't just help Bush's opponents, it will pressure him.

Here's why: Under the new law, every dollar he raises in excess of $5 million is matched by the state treasury and handed to his opponents like a gift from a generous contributor.

Now start doing the math. To raise money, you must spend money; as one candidate's aide puts it, ''In fund raising, it's all net.''

That puts Bush at a double disadvantage. Not only does he need to make an extra effort, he needs to spend extra money - cash opponents can use on other things, such as television spots.

Of Bush's likely Republican foes, only Secretary of State Jim Smith, who supported the new law, has disclosed his plan in regard to public financing. He'll take it.

Tallahassee lawyer Ken Connor hasn't decided yet, though he's leaning toward accepting public money. And while Senate President Ander Crenshaw opposed public financing in the Legislature, it's not clear if he will shun it as a candidate.

What is clear is that it will be an issue come fall. Bush will make sure of that.

Chiles' mood swing

On the Democratic side, the mood around Gov. Lawton Chiles is improving. The reason: A Republican poll.

The poll, released last week by GOP state chairman Tom Slade, showed two out of three Floridians want a new governor. And almost half view Chiles unfavorably.

But, hey, to Chiles, that's good news. For the past two years, he has been doing worse in the media-funded Mason-Dixon poll.

''There's no confetti flowing in the governor's office, but it's pretty upbeat here,'' said Ron Sachs, the governor's top press aide. After all, Chiles' approval rating is rising.

True enough. But as state GOP spokesman Stuart Brown argued, Chiles' numbers are ''still in the cadaver range.''

''Can he win an election? No way,'' Brown said. ''That's the bottom line.''

Responded Sachs: ''Guess what: Ain't no one voting this calendar year. He's got significant time to turn that around.''

Will he? For now, the 63-year-old governor won't even say if he plans to run again. But Sachs is planning on his running - and winning.

''I would be surprised by only one thing,'' said Sachs, ''and that is for the governor not to run again.''

If so, the GOP poll is also a warning: Chiles now has a little more than 15 months to make sure the most important poll - the one in November of 1994 - leaves less room for interpretation.

Going places

The headline said it all two years ago, when Rollins College grad Dan Sallick left for a job as U.S. Rep. Jim Bacchus' press secretary: ''Grab Diploma, Head to Washington.''

Just 23 years old at the time, Sallick got his dream job after spending his senior year as a $150-a-month press aide in Bacchus' first campaign.

Fast forward to 1993. The story line continues. Sallick, now 25, has just landed a job as press secretary for House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, potentially the next House speaker.

Said Sallick's old boss, Bacchus administrative assistant Linda Hennessee: ''He's off to the big time.''

More backroom talk

Here are some sights seen and some that might be seen soon:

Neon-green Bush-Feeney lapel stickers were seen at Jeb Bush's rally in Orlando last week, pushing state Rep. Tom Feeney, an Orlando Republican, as a running mate for Bush. Feeney himself denied involvement.

A one-term state senator could be seen running for state insurance commissioner. Former insurance agent and state Sen. Charles Williams, D-Tallahassee, says he might do it if Insurance Commissioner Tom Gallagher runs for governor.

A challenge to Florida's race-based congressional lines - which is to say District 3 - is sure to be seen soon, experts agree. Florida Deputy Attorney General Peter Antonacci says, ''We're fully anticipating someone is going to bring suit.'' If others don't, Jacksonville developer Andy Johnson, who lost his bid in District 3, says he'll launch a challenge himself.